iStrap Leather Watch Band -Alligator Grain Embossed Pattern Calfskin Replacement Strap-Stainless Steel Deployment Buckle with Push Buttons-Bracelet for Men Women-18mm 19mm 20mm 21mm 22mm 24mm

~1-MONTH UPDATE:Much to my surprise, this strap has performed extremely well - so well, in fact, that I bought an identical one for another watch. I've gotten a lot of compliments from people, and they all seem surprised that it cost <$20. So far, there's no significant wear despite daily use. Definitely recommend!ORIGINAL REVIEW:When looking at a strap like this, I think it's important to keep in mind what you're getting and, more importantly, what you're not. What you're getting is almost certainly a relatively low quality strap that is likely to have durability issues. You're not getting the same quality materials that you would probably expect from a $200-300 OEM strap. Instead, you're getting relatively low quality leather and likely low quality materials for the clasp mechanism that, while they look nice, are unlikely to be nearly as durable as a more expensive strap.With that said, I'm happy with the quality of the strap for the price. Here are my thoughts:- The leather looks nice but is extremely stiff; while this is to be expected with an alligator-like style, I suspect that this is also due to the relatively low quality of the leather used. There is absolutely no give in the leather, and it's not supple in the slightest. The strap is extremely difficult to bend as there is almost no give because of the stiffness. I suspect that if you were to fully bend the strap, it would likely leave clear creases in the leather.- The clasp and buckle works as expected, but as noted above the materials feel extremely cheap and lightweight, and I expect durability to be an issue. With a <$20 strap I wouldn't expect anything different, and I expect that this strap will likely need to be replaced again in the relatively near future, especially with heavy use. However, the clasp does work as advertised, and I haven't had any trouble with the button mechanism releasing the clasp when pressed or with the clasp spontaneously coming loose so far.- The size of the band is as advertised. I got a 22mm strap and it fit the lugs on my watch perfectly.- I absolutely love leather straps with the metal clasps: the leather strap makes the watch much lighter than a full metal band and I just prefer the look of a leather strap over a metal bracelet, but the clasp mechanism reduces wear on the leather since you're not having to constantly pull the strap to put the watch on/off. As above, the steel used on the clasp mechanism is very thin and lightweight, and I bet I could probably bend it just with the force of my hands. This obviously raises durability concerns.- Aesthetically, the strap does look quite nice. Seen in passing, it looks like a high-quality, OEM strap that you might see on a nicer watch. The key issue here will be how it wears with time, and I don't expect that it will wear nicely, but out of the packaging, it looks great.- I've only worn my watch after replacing the strap for a day, but it has been comfortable to wear so far. The leather is so stiff that it actually creaks a little bit when moved, but other than that I haven't had any issues. As I mentioned above, the clasp stays securely shut and I haven't had an issue with the clasp abruptly coming open during regular use.- The packaging did include a spring bar tool and some extra spring bars, so if you don't have either, you're covered here. I ended up buying a separate spring bar tool and used that, so I can't comment on the quality of the tool, though it looks and feels quite cheap, and the other tool that I bought cost more than the entire cost of this strap. I also used the original spring bars that came with the watch since I still had them, so I can't comment on the quality of those either. For one-off use the included tool is probably fine, but you find yourself replacing watch straps with any degree of regularity, you'd probably be better served buying a higher quality tool separately.Should you buy this strap? That's a difficult question, and it depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for a strap that is likely to last quite a long time, this almost certainly isn't going to be the strap for you. I haven't had the strap long enough to comment on long-term durability (I will update this review if/when I have any issues), but at this price point and based on my impression of the materials, I think there's zero chance that this strap is going to last a long time. You should expect that you will need to replace this strap at some point in the future, especially if you wear your watch regularly. However, for a <$20 strap, I'm satisfied with the product as a whole: it looks nice (for now) and functions as advertised, and it's better than the strap it replaced, which was entirely broken and made my watch unwearable. If you set your expectations accordingly and understand that you're not getting the quality of an original OEM strap that costs $200 or more, then this is a great product for the price (as long as it lasts more than a couple of months).

Installed on my swatch mod looks beautiful

I far prefer leather straps on my dress watches, and those with deployment clasps are especially welcome. First, this is not a $150 watch strap, so don't try and compare it with one. What it is is a value option. The leather is not the best nor is it the worst. It is however a 'good' watch strap for a very fair amount of money that looks great (on any watch under $400). If you have an Omega or Rolex you're shopping straps for, keep looking, this one is not for you. Just note that this band does not come with quick release pins, so you'll need a little knowledge and finesse to install and remove it. Not an issue IMO given the cost. The question I can't answer at the moment is how long will it last. If anything in this review changes, I update it. But for the time being, I think this is an easy recommendation for most people.

This is an excellent price considering it comes with the locking mechanism. Both the strap and mechanism appear of high quality, materials and finish.I bought this for an expensive Bruno Söhnle watch where the strap failed at the strap pin. The leather simply failed(probabky due to having buckle just a touch too tight) On these type of watches are pins, that are actually a little larger in diameter than most strap pins; also these pins are screwed from both ends from the outside with stainless steel screw/screw-with-bar. Since this new strap comes with pins to attach to a watch i pulled them out and pushed the screw-with-bar through the strap hole and it worked.As to the lifetime of this strap or how it will hold up i cannot say yet, but other straps i saw including the one that came off this expensive watch i bought it for, do not appear to be higher quality than the one I just bought here. So I am hopeful it will last just as much and hopefully longer than the original one. That one lasted less than two years with almost daily wear and I almost lost a very expensive watch.I do not believe you will be disappointed choosing this watch band.